Cooker hood installation cost: What factors affect your budget?

Cooker hoods have become essential items in UK kitchens, working hard to whisk away cooking odours, grease and steam that would otherwise settle throughout your home. It’s no wonder that more UK homeowners are investing in quality extraction systems, with industry data showing a steady upward trend in this practical kitchen addition.

Today, professional installation typically costs between £120 to £500, with most UK households paying around £300. However, your final price tag depends on things like the hood type you pick, how your kitchen is set up, and if you need extra electrical work. To help you budget and avoid surprise expenses, this guide breaks down all the costs of this kitchen upgrade.

Reasons to install a cooker hood

A person adjusting a range hood in a modern kitchen. (Source: iStock)

Cooker hoods or vent hoods greatly influence the quality of cooking you can do in your kitchen. As the central piece in food preparation, the stove is where all the magic happens. A cooker hood enhances this by clearing your kitchen of heat, smoke, steam, grease, and other contaminants, leaving you with better air quality and less hassle cleaning buildup and mildew around your stove area. 

A cooker hood can also be a statement piece in your kitchen. Highly customisable, it can be inconspicuous or add some dramatic flair. You can also use it as an additional lighting source for your kitchen area. Adding a cooker hood can be a valuable to-do for your kitchen renovation project.

Cooker hood installation prices

Ready to upgrade your kitchen ventilation? Whether renovating your kitchen or replacing an old extractor fan, understanding the different options and their price points will help you budget effectively.

While a basic installation might seem quick, allow extra time if your kitchen has unusual dimensions or if you’re switching from a recirculating to a vented system.

What factors affect cooker hood installation costs?

A person removing the range hood filter. (Source: iStock)   

Type of cooker hood

When looking at cooker hood prices, remember that there are several types and styles of cooker hoods you can choose from, and they vary depending on what this area in your kitchen can accommodate and how much coverage you need. 

• Fixed or wall-mounted cooker hoods: These are standard stove hoods that are securely fixed against the kitchen wall directly above your stove. They come in various shapes and can cover a wide surface area to clear smoke and fumes.

• Island cooker hoods: These cooker hoods are installed above your kitchen island and cover your cooktop by being mounted to the ceiling. This means that the ventilation will need to run through your ceiling. While this makes for an elegant centrepiece, you must check if your home can structurally support an island cooker hood.

• Under-cabinet cooker hoods: These are more compact because they are installed directly onto your overhead cabinetry. They are also more discrete but tend to cover a more limited area.

Venting options

Cooker hood ducting installation cost is a big fraction of the total cost. You must also pick the right venting option for your cooker hood, whether ducted or ductless/recirculating. Ducted systems direct the air from your kitchen outside your home through the ceiling or wall. This type of cooker hood requires your professional handyman to knock a hole out of your wall or ceiling, so while it is the most effective way to clear air, it takes a lot of work to get done.

Ductless or recirculating cooker hoods clear the air through filters that need to be replaced periodically, directing air back into your kitchen. The best ductless hoods use charcoal filters. While not as effective as ducted cooker hoods, they don’t require the installation of duct pipes in your wall or ceiling, so they are easier to have installed and could work in most kitchens.

Labour costs

The more complicated the setup for your cooker hood, the longer it will take and the more it will cost. Expect to shell out more if you require installing a ducted system or customised cabinetry. If you’re looking for repairs for an existing cooker hood instead, ask your builder for an accurate quote.

Replacement vs new cooker hood

If you’re getting an existing cooker hood replaced, the installation process will likely be simpler and more cost-effective than installing a new one. New installations generally take longer because builders need to do more work, like ensuring proper fit and ventilation, cutting holes through your wall or ceiling, and routing the ducting to your home’s exterior. If you have existing ductwork, the installation process will be much quicker.

Extras

You may also need to account for extra costs, such as custom or new cabinetry work, additional ductwork, filtration systems, and exhaust fans, as well as additional materials your builder may need.

Tips to reduce the cost of cooker hood installations

Want to save money on your cooker hood installation without compromising on quality? With a bit of planning and smart decision-making, you can keep costs down while ensuring a professional finish for this essential kitchen upgrade.

• Opt for standard-sized units instead of custom or oversized models that cost more to fit.
• Clear the workspace completely before your installer arrives to reduce their time on site.
• Choose recirculating models rather than ducted options for simpler, less expensive installation.
• Combine with other electrical work to save on callout fees.

Tempted to go down the DIY route? While this may help you save money, hiring a professional installer is still your best bet in the long run. A qualified tradesperson makes sure your cooker hood is properly connected, securely fitted, and working at its best. You'll steer clear of issues like poor ventilation, electrical faults, and damage to your kitchen cabinets that could end up costing much more to fix later.

Post a task for cooker hood installation

Now that you know more about the cost of cooker hood installation, the next thing to do is ensure your task post specifies exactly what you need for the job. Here are a few details to include:

• Specs for the cooker hood model you want installed

• Measurements of your stove or cooktop area

• Whether you want a ducted or ductless cooker hood

• The timeframe you’re looking to get your cooker hood installed

If you’re convinced you want a new cooker hood installed in your kitchen or want to replace an existing one, go the professional route and find a cooker hood installation service. This will ensure that this valuable piece in your kitchen is safely set up and ready to run as smoothly as possible. Post a task on Airtasker and locate a professional near you today!